• Published on

    You Little Liar...

    Picture
    Parent: You Little Liar! Where'd you ever learn to lie like so much?? 

    Child: From you. 

    A few years ago I was standing in line at the store. In front of me was a young father & his young son. The boy was eyeing the dinosaur action figures, so dad told him to "grab one & let's go." 

    Then dad said to the boy, "play with it til we get home, but then we have to wrap it up & put it under the tree so mommy won't know."

    He told his son to not only keep something from his mother but to flat out lie & it was okay. Is it okay to deceive anyone? No matter the reason?

    It was no problem for that man to tell his young son not to let his mother know that he bought him the toy, and that he could play with it now but then it has to get wrapped so mom thinks it was just a gift someone left for you. Really?!?!! Are you serious!

    In a few more years when that young boy lies about something to daddy, and is caught red handed, what will dad say? Dad will get mad and ask him where he learned to lie like that. The boy will be able to truthfully tell him, "from you dad"! 

    There is nothing alright with telling a child that it is okay to be deceitful, to lie or hide anything from anyone but especially from his, or her, parents!! When a parent pits a child up against the other parent like this it is a very dangerous line that will eventually get blurred when he begins to lie about everything to everyone! 

    But don't we do the same when we lie to a child and tell them that "Santa" brought them a gift? Or that he even exists? I am not going to get into the traditions or history of Christmas, santa or the other stuff but what I am going to say is this..... when you tell your child a lie, with good or bad intentions, it is still a lie and you are still a liar. 

    When your child then lies to you, not that it is okay because any lie is wrong, then maybe you are the failed example you were supposed to be. That one father told his son to deceive & lie to his own mother. Hmph!! That is disturbing!

    Remember, if you tell your child there is a "tooth fairy" then you are a liar and a foul example of what that child deserves. 

    If you tell your child there is a santa, an easter bunny, great pumpkin or any of the other fictional depraved characters that the world worships, then you are a liar and a foul representation of a parent. 

    I know I know, I don't have any children. That doesn't change the fact that if you lie then you are a liar and if GOD Almighty blesses you with a child that you are supposed to be a good, pleasing & acceptable example to that child! 

    ​
  • Published on

    Is There A Key To True Happiness...

    Picture
    Is there a key to true happiness?

    We live in a time where bitterness, boredom, misery, anger, depression and many other forms of unhappiness, angst, confusion & delusions are running rampant. Is there some basic principle which determines success in finding happiness?

    The Book of Psalms, with its very first psalm, shares with us a key principle that can ensure true happiness if we allow it to. Notice the very first word of the first psalm, "Blessed."

    The word in Hebrew denotes the idea of "happiness"

    The actual force of the Hebrew could be translated "O how very happy is the man..."

    Therefore this psalm describes "The Truly Happy Man"

    Let's look at Psalm 1. The Blessedness of the Righteous man... 

    In Psalm 1:1-2 we are told of his character. 

    "Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly" ~ He does not take their counsel on how to live, talk, act etc. He does not follow the advice of those who are sinful. Nor does he follow behind those who are doing ungodly works in Jesus' Name.

    "Nor stands in the path of sinners" ~ He does not linger where sinners are known to go. For the temptation to go with them would be great. But this does not say that he doesn't have contact or fellowship with them. Note that he does not go with them or go to where they gather to do their sins but rather lead them elsewhere to gather and fellowship... how else would we be the example in Word, Deed & Action.

    "Nor sits in the seat of the scornful" ~ He does not join himself with those who ridicule & mock those trying to do right, which they often do to fortify their conduct and defend their own ungodly actions.

    This verse may be taken to describe the journey one takes into sin:

    First, one going along with a crowd.

    Then, taking a stand with the crowd.

    Finally, reaching a point where sinning is not enough and mockery is added.

    "His delight is in the law of the Lord" ~ "the law" is literally translated into "The Way". The source of his Joy & Happiness is The Way of GOD Almighty! It is truly his "delight" (Psalm 119:16,24,35,47,70, 77,92,174 & Jeremiah 15:16-17). He preferred it over the counsel of the ungodly!

    Therefore, "in His law (or His Way) he meditates day and night" ~ The word meditate means to "moan, hum, utter, speak, muse". The picture is one of a man reading and re-reading half aloud to himself, another word might be "ponder."

    This he does with GOD'S Word "day & night", not implying a monk-like existence, but a focused, coordinated and determined interest which goes beyond a casual acquaintance, or thoughts & feelings alone. What it means is that this is something he does habitually setting apart portions of each day and that he does both day and night.

    In Psalm 1:3 we are told of the happy man's prosperity. 

    "He shall be like a tree" ~ This figure of speech is often used in Scripture to describe the righteous (Psalm 92:12-15 & Jeremiah 17:5-8). It had special significance to those living in arid climates like Palestine.

    "Planted by rivers of water" ~ A picture describing a person whose life is rooted in GOD'S Word, from which one receives constant nourishment!

    "That brings forth fruit in its season" ~ Depicting a life which yields something worthwhile, providing Blessings to himself and others.

    "Whose leaf also shall not wither" ~ A tree with roots near a river is not likely to be affected in times of drought, so adverse conditions do not affect the fruitfulness of one whose strength comes from GOD'S Word!

    "Whatever he does shall prosper" ~ This is a general rule, exceptions may occur for reasons which only GOD knows, but a life of piety will generally be Blessed by HIS GoOD GOoD Blessings, prosperity. 

    Prosperity not being measured by monetary wealth, but Spiritual & godly wealth. Amen!

    Such is the character & prosperity of the righteous man; he is truly happy and a blessing to others because he abides in the Word of GOD. He also becomes a monument to GOD'S Faithfulness and the value of living by HIS Word and walking in The Way.

    But wait...... what of those who do not delight in the Word of GOD? Those who do not receive the nourishment found in GOD'S Word? This answer is found in Psalm 1:4-5, the condition of the unrighteous. 

    The phrase "The ungodly are not so" is more emphatic in the Hebrew, it literally says, "Not so, are the ungodly!"

    Emphasizing that the wicked are not like the righteous!

    The contrast as illustrated by the Psalmist does not even describe them as withering trees, but rather as "chaff which the wind drives away", alluding to chaff blown away from wheat as it is tossed into the air. 

    The illustration describes a bleak existence. Their life is one of futility, ending in eternal separation from GOD. The "ungodly" chaff among the wheat, this is not the lost souls, but those within The Church who are being led by thoughts & feelings, misinterpreting The Scriptures, acting on bitterness & ego, stepping outside of The Will of GOD, following behind others (including hirelings/pastors/etc) and those who are just wolves in sheeps clothing. 

    Their life is of no substantial value, either to be blown away and not found or to be burned (Matthew 3:12). 

    "The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment" ~ I understand this may be a Hebrew idiom and mean that the wicked "shall not be able to maintain himself" (for example - obliged to sit or fall down in shame when convicted of their guilt). 

    "Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous" ~ For example - in all places where the righteous assemble, but especially, in the last day, when the righteous shall be gathered together to receive their reward and shall be assembled together in Heaven, where the sinner has no place!

    The psalm concerning the truly happy man (Psalm 1) ends with a final contrast between two different & distinct "Ways" in Psalm 1:6.

    "The Way" of the Righteous ~ The LORD knows "The Way" of the righteous. The word "knows" suggests interest in, and care for, the person known. One could say that GOD himself goes with such a person throughout his or her life!

    The way of the ungodly ~ The way of the ungodly person "shall perish". His path becomes less defined until it loses itself, kinda like a trail that leads into a swamp. We understand this for the lost but for those (ungodly) who claim JESUS The CHRIST, those words will be heard, "Depart from ME" 

    Is not the end described for the ungodly a true description of those who go through life bored, bitter, angry, miserable, depressed, or otherwise unhappy? Their lives are listless, with no sense of purpose or direction, gradually unraveling. While others are busy trying to be heard, instead of allowing The LORD to speak through them. 

    Why is this so? Because they heed the counsel of the ungodly! 

    If we desire to be truly happy, standing strong like well-nourished trees, bearing fruit at all times, with The LORD always at our side, then the key is to delight & meditate in the Word of The LORD & not heed the counsel of the ungodly!

    In whose counsel do you delight?

    That which is found in GOD'S Way, or that provided by this world? 

    If you seek true happiness, let The LORD be your counselor, and HIS Way your guide! Allow HIM to lead your steps. 

    ​Stop following others and allow HIM to lead you. 

    Be Blessed.
  • Published on

    Come Out and Be Separate...

    Picture
    The Apostle Paul issues a challenging call when he tells us to "come out" and to "be separate", just as GOD Almighty did through HIS Prophet Isaiah. And this is a verse that is often used to segregate many from their own families & social circles, when it is not meant to.

    In 2 Corinthians 6:17, when Paul says, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.", he is quoting from Isaiah 52:11 ~ Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord..

    These are GOD'S plain instructions to HIS People concerning separation from evil. Christians are not to stay in the midst of it, as part of it, taking part of it. Our "call" is to come out of the wickedness and ignorance that held us in bondage.

    The unclean thing in this verse is primarily the heathen world, but it also applies to any form of evil, whether commercial, social or religious. It is often very hard for Christians to sever ties that have existed for years in order to be obedient to the Word of GOD.

    And it seems that GOD had anticipated such a difficulty in 2 Corinthians 6:18, because in verse 17 HE says “I will receive you,” and then HE adds, “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

    Now verse 18 speaks multitudes to me. Let me explain why....

    While I was in the midst of the evil, in & of this world, a lot of my issues began before I was even born when my father took his own life. Every boy needs a father. Every girl needs a mother. Of course, children need both a mother and a father, but the point is that by mine not being in my life there was a void there.

    But GOD..... oh them two words.... But GOD!! HE said that HE will be a FATHER to me and that I shall be HIS son! Oh Happy Day! When I realized that I had a Father and that HE Loved me more than any earthly father or man ever could, it was life changing! Literally.

    Thank YOU, FATHER, for becoming the driving force in, with & through my life. Thank YOU!

    The compensation for standing with The CHRIST outside the camp of evil is to know Fellowship with The FATHER in a new and intimate way.

    Paul is not saying that Believers should have no contact at all with unbelievers, because then Christians would have to leave this world and then how are we to be salt & light to the world? What Paul is saying, is that believers are not to participate in the strongholds, vices, addictions, ways and sins of the unbelievers, to not be "of this world" just because we are in it.

    Please do not allow anyone to keep you from being a positive Light in the lives of others who truly are in need of Life, and Life more abundantly. Amen.
  • Published on

    The FATHER Said It... I Believe It!

    Picture
    When I opened up about my deepest & darkest secrets & struggles some of my “friends” drifted away. When I started speaking about being on the sex offender registry because of a charge back in the early 1990's, that was even worse to some people.

    I know that some people’s parents & families have a tough time accepting their transparency, and some are rejected by members of the church as well. How can we know, and believe, that GOD accepts us in spite of all?

    That is a very easy answer..... GOD Almighty said HE would. HE promised it. And HE keeps HIS Word. We all have self-doubts, fears & anxiety, and we can fear authority figures in the same way as we fear rejection.

    A state trooper once followed a man for five miles, all the way to his home. Then he drove in the yard behind the man! “What did I do?”, the man asked himself. Anxiety gripped him until the state trooper got out of his car and said, "Hi! I haven't seen you in ages!" Turns out the state trooper was an old friend from way back and just wanted to say hi and catch up. But the waiting period was rough, all five miles of it.

    Let's pray...

    Dear FATHER, I am sorry that I have treated YOU like an earthly authority. Thank YOU for accepting me even when I rejected YOU because of my fears. May I be released from fear in order to know YOU, to walk with YOU, to talk with YOU and to Hope in YOU Forever. I Pray to YOU, FATHER and I ask these things in The Mighty, Powerful & Precious Name of YESHUA, JESUS The CHRIST. Amen.

    Reading Romans 8:14-18 this morning….
  • Published on

    Dying Is A Part Of Life...

    Although we try hard to avoid the subject of death in our society, we are all dying. Diseases like AIDS or cancer are scary, but the natural course of life brings us death also. Why are we so fearful, when death is a part of life? Because death represents the unknown, annihilation, obliteration. Disease is frightening because it represents a disjointed or fragmented death and eats away at us slowly. Sin does the same thing.
     
    Addiction, which is not a disease but just a sin, can also eat away at us & bring us to death. The answer comes when we see JESUS The CHRIST telling us, "I am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25). This statement is present tense, not future! HE delivers us from death, but only as we recognize we are indeed dying & totally dependent on HIM.
     
    I am dying! You are dying! We are all dying! But... in JESUS The CHRIST we can experience Life & Resurrection! So what if we must admit that we are powerless! So what if we must humble ourselves before The Throne of Grace! It's that very admission to GOD that will bring us closer to that Life that is available to us in The CHRIST. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to know, to accept & not be fearful of the fact that we are dying simply because we truly understand & accept that when we become a Child of GOD that we have Life Eternal! Hallelujah!
     
    Dear Heavenly FATHER, It is when I really face life in the flesh that I see death. But in The CHRIST’S death on the Cross there is Life available. Thank YOU for this Amazing Grace. I may not fully understand it, but I Praise you for it and I thank YOU for all of the many Blessings YOU grant to each one of us on a moment by moment basis. I pray in The Precious and Powerful Name of YOUR Son, YESHUA, JESUS The CHRIST. Amen.
     
    Reading Ephesians 2:1-10 this morning….
  • Published on

    We Catch 'Em ~ HE Cleans 'Em (A Message For HIS Own)

    Picture
    JESUS The CHRIST said, “Follow ME, and I will make you fishers of men!” (Matthew 4:19) How are we going to “follow HIM” if we are constantly trying to lean on our own understanding?! How can we "follow HIM" if we know it all and remain unteachable?! We must humble ourselves, and become teachable. None of us has arrived.

    Fishers of men. We catch ‘em and HE will clean ‘em. We cannot do HIS job! So let us not focus on 'saving' folks, because that is not within our own strength or power, and just do what HE has commissioned us to do. Let's be the example in Word, Deed and Action. We cannot save anyone, only HE can do that. Can HE use us? Absolutely. Does HE use us? At times. People are not projects, so let us not lose focus of just being the example instead of focusing on how many we can 'save' because it becomes a hinderance to just being the example.

    Matthew 28:18-20 tell us The Great Commission, which is two-fold, we are told to go out (to evangelize) and teach (to disciple). Evangelizing includes exposing the darkness and the agenda of the lgbTQia+ TransQueer Rainbow Cult with it's Gender Ideology attack on society & culture.

    Over and over I see folks misquoting Scripture and misrepresenting The CHRIST simply by not understanding what HE has already laid out for us to do. You can do more damage by leaning on your emotions; what you “think” or “feel” than what The Word actually says.  

    Do not allow anyone to tell you or teach you what The Word says, or what the Will of GOD is, without seeking HIS Face on your own and connecting with/to HIS Holy Spirit by doing your own research and investigating to prove/test if what they have taught is in context. Very Important! Trust me, I could've saved myself a lot of heartache and depression had I known all of this many years ago. However, I do not regret any of it, as I was able to learn, from experience, so very much for such a time as this.

    And remember: “The natural man receiveth not the things of The SPIRIT of GOD: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1Corinthians 2:14) ~ while this message is clearly giving us direction it is for those who have already surrendered unto HIM and HIS Way. The HOLY SPIRIT is needed to discern The Scriptures.

    When ministering, let us remember this direction because it is so very important that we not try to force feed the 'natural man' with spiritually discerned food. This is why it is so important for us to connect with, to befriend, and to meet folks on level ground. We pour into the 'natural' man by being the example in word, deed and action; not by quoting a book they're not even able to comprehend.